British teenager Ollie Bearman's hopes of securing a Formula One drive next season have been dealt a major boost following confirmation of Nico Hulkenberg's move from Haas to Sauber.
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Bearman, 18, impressed as a last-minute stand-in for Carlos Sainz at last month's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and a seat at Haas - effectively Ferrari's B team - in 2025 had been his target.
Hulkenberg's departure, announced on Friday, frees up a seat, with Bearman - a Ferrari junior driver - now in pole position to take over from the German, and join Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris and George Russell as the fourth British driver on the F1 grid.
Bearman, currently a reserve driver for Haas, turns 19 next month. He became the youngest British driver in F1 history with his debut in Saudi Arabia.
The Essex youngster finished seventh ahead of both McLaren's Norris and seven-time world champion Hamilton of Mercedes.
Hulkenberg has spent two seasons with Haas but will join Sauber ahead of the team being rebranded as Audi in 2026.
The 36-year-old, who finished 10th at last weekend's Chinese Grand Prix, has competed in 208 races in a career spanning 14 years.
He made his debut with Williams in 2010 before competing at Force India, Renault and as a reserve driver at Aston Martin before joining Haas last year. He also drove for Sauber in 2013.
"I am thrilled and honoured to return to Sauber in 2025 and to represent the global German car manufacturer and technology pioneer Audi on its way into Formula One in the future," Hulkenberg said.
Sauber CEO Andreas Seidl said: "With his speed, his experience and his commitment to teamwork, Nico will be an important part of the transformation of our team - and of Audi's F1 project."
The identity of Hulkenberg's team-mate next year is uncertain, but Sainz, who will be replaced by Hamilton at Ferrari in 2025, is understood to have held talks with Audi about a possible switch.
Australian Associated Press
